abstraction, gazing at her daughter sublimely unconscious of the
presence of a third party.

"You're quite right," said the master composedly, throwing the
rifle over his shoulder and turning towards the door. "So I'll say
good-afternoon, and try and find your husband."

Mrs. McKinstry constrainedly plucked at the folds of her coarse gown.
"Ye'll like a drink afore ye go," she said, in an ill-concealed tone of
relief. "I clean forgot my manners. Cressy, fetch out that demijohn."

"Not for me, thank you," returned Mr. Ford smiling.

"Oh, I see--you're temperance, nat'rally," said Mrs. McKinstry with a
tolerant sigh.

"Hardly that," returned the master, "I follow no rule, I drink
sometimes--but not to-day."

Mrs. McKinstry's dark face contracted. "Don't you see, Maw," struck in
Cressy quickly. "Teacher drinks sometimes, but he don't USE whiskey.
That's all."

Her mother's face relaxed. Cressy slipped out of the door before the
master, and preceded him to the gate. When she had reached it she turned
and looked into his face.

"What did Maw say to yer about seein' me just now?"

"I don't understand you."